Sutter County community helps ‘Singing Johnny’ after freak motorcycle crash

Sutter County community helps ‘Singing Johnny’ after freak motorcycle crash

Residents help raise money to pay for medical bills

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Updated: 12:01 AM PDT Aug 26, 2017

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WEBVTT REPORTER: rtTHIS IS WHY HE'SCALLED SINGING JOHNNY.>> IF YOU ASKED HIM TO SING, HEWOULD START SINGING FOR YOU.REPORTER: HErt'S 73-YEAR-OLD JOHNDOWDEN.FOR MORE THAN FIVE DECADES, HE'SBEEN CONSIDERED THE YUA-SUTTERHANDYMAN WHO CAN HOLD A TUNErt>> YOU COULD MENTION SINGINGJOHN TO ANYBODY IN SUTTER AREAAND THEY WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHOYOU'RE SPEAKING OF.REPORTER: JOHN WASHES WINDOWSFOR VERY LITTLE MONEY ANDVOrtLUNTEERS FOR OTHER CLEANINGPROJECTS.>> HE'S JUST A GOOD-NATURED GUY.ALWAYS HELPFUL, ALWAYS WILLINGTO GIVE A HAND OUT IF YOU NEEDIT.rtREPORTER: WELL, JOHNNY IS IN THEHOSPITAL NOW AFTER A FREAKMOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY.>> UNBEKNOWNST TO ANYONE, THEREWAS A DECEASED PIG THAT WAS AMEAL TO A COrtUPLE TURKEY VULTURESAT THE TIME.WHEN HE APPROACHED THE PIG, THEFIRST VULTURE TOOK OFF, THESECOND TURKEY VULTURE TOOK OFFAND UNFORTUNATELY HIT SINGINGJOHN.rtREPORTER: HE WAS EJECTED FROMTHE BIKE AND LANDED IN A DITCH.SINGING JOHNNY WAS LIFE-FLIGHTEDTO SUTTER ROSEVILLE MEDICALCENTER WHERE HIS FAMILY HAS BEENVIrtSITING HIM ALL WEEK.>> HE'S GOING TO BE INREHABILITATION IN THE TRAUMAUNIT FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS ANDTHEN THEY SAID REHABILITATIOWHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT, Irt HAVENO IDEA.REPORTER: THE COMMUNITY ISN'TGIVING UP HOPE, IN FACT SEVERALFUNDRAISERS HAVE BEEN PLANNED TOHELP JOHN PAY THE MEDICAL BILLS.AND FOR THrtAT JOHN'S FAMILY ISGRATEFUL FOR THE OVERWHELMINGSUPPORT.>> THANK YOU.>> WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE IT.IT KIND OF SENDS CHILLS DOWNrtYOUR SPINE.REPORTER: AND THEY'RE HOPEFULSINGING JOHNNY WILL GET BACK TODOING WHAT HE DOES BEST.IN SUTTER, DANA GRIFFIN, KCRA 3

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Sutter County community helps ‘Singing Johnny’ after freak motorcycle crash

For more than five decades, 73-year-old John Dowden has been considered the Yuba-Sutter handyman that can hold a tune.“If you asked him to sing, he would start singing for ya,” Sutter resident Michael Ziegenmeyer said."You could mention ‘Singing John’ to anybody in the Sutter area, and they will know exactly who you're speaking of," California Highway Patrol spokesperson Jodie Beck said. Dowden washes windows for very little money and volunteers for other cleaning projects."He's just a good-natured guy," Sutter resident Matthew Golding said. "Always helpful, always willing to give a hand out if you need it." Dowden was hospitalized Wednesday after a freak motorcycle accident on Pass Road near Acacia Avenue."Unbeknownst to anyone, there was a deceased pig that was a meal to a couple turkey vultures at the time," Beck said. "When he approached the pig, the first vulture took off, the second turkey vulture took off -- and unfortunately hit singing john."Dowden was ejected from the bike and landed in a ditch. He was life-flighted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where his family has been visiting him all week."He's going to be in rehabilitation in the trauma unit for at least two weeks and then they said rehabilitation," relative Laurie Jones said. "What happens after that, I have no idea."The community isn't giving up hope. Several fundraisers have been planned to help Dowden pay the medical bills. His family is grateful for the overwhelming support."Thank you," Laurie Jones said."Words can't describe it," relative Randy Jones said. "It kind of sends chills down your spine."The Singing Johnny Facebook page has updates on his condition and information on fundraisers.

SUTTER COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) —

For more than five decades, 73-year-old John Dowden has been considered the Yuba-Sutter handyman that can hold a tune.

“If you asked him to sing, he would start singing for ya,” Sutter resident Michael Ziegenmeyer said.

Dowden washes windows for very little money and volunteers for other cleaning projects.

"He's just a good-natured guy," Sutter resident Matthew Golding said. "Always helpful, always willing to give a hand out if you need it."

Dowden was hospitalized Wednesday after a freak motorcycle accident on Pass Road near Acacia Avenue.

"Unbeknownst to anyone, there was a deceased pig that was a meal to a couple turkey vultures at the time," Beck said. "When he approached the pig, the first vulture took off, the second turkey vulture took off -- and unfortunately hit singing john."

Dowden was ejected from the bike and landed in a ditch. He was life-flighted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where his family has been visiting him all week.

"He's going to be in rehabilitation in the trauma unit for at least two weeks and then they said rehabilitation," relative Laurie Jones said. "What happens after that, I have no idea."

The community isn't giving up hope. Several fundraisers have been planned to help Dowden pay the medical bills. His family is grateful for the overwhelming support.